Two more holiday reads here – I can’t quite believe I only read four books while we were in Cornwall, but then I did mine two more for quotations to finish my Iris Murdoch research (first draft done) so that took up some reading time. Oh, and I chatted on the train on the way down, which took away some reading time, too. Never mind, these two were great reads, and I had a lovely holiday still.

Paul Gallico – “Mrs ‘Arris Goes to Paris”

(25 January 2016 via BookCrossing)

A charming tale, reminiscent perhaps of the famous Persephone, “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day”, focusing on a charlady who comes into some money and saves up the rest, determined to have a Dior dress, having seen one in one of her clients’ houses (her London clients are just one part of this book that are beautifully drawn in just a few lines).

It’s a fairy-tale, of course, with Mrs Harris’ simple charm winning people over and bringing people together all over the place. You could see the dialect-filled dialogue she’s given as condescending, but she’s clearly an attractive and charming lady who the author loves, so that can be overlooked, in my opinion. It’s incredibly sweet – some might find it too much so, but there are elements of peril and some sad bits, too. The portraits of London and Paris are charming and it’s a lovely escapist read.

The only downside to this book was that it was in a bizarre 1980s edition with hugely anachronistic illustrations which paid no heed to the post-war feel of the book and were really odd. It was originally published in 1957, which means that it fills in one of the years in my Century of Reading! And, because it was a BookCrossing book, I left it in our holiday cottage!

Barbara Kingsolver – “Prodigal Summer”

(25 December 2002 (I wonder who from!))

A re-read of this excellent novel, set in the Appalachian Mountains, because Matthew, having read and loved “Flight Behaviour” with me found that the audio book for this one was also narrated by the author. I read it first back in 2003, I expect, so it will be in my paper journals but was before I started an online book journal.

Linked to “Flight Behaviour” by its themes of nature, renewal, the peace of solitude, family, community and science being used for good, we follow a summer (and a bit more) in the lives of a set of interesting characters. There’s independent Deanna, who used to live in Egg Fork and had a conventional life but now lives alone in the forest, with her dream job maintaining and researching the forest and its wildlife. Her search for the coyotes she believes are spreading into the region is interrupted by the arrival of a possibly more powerful predator. Lusa, product of blended civilisations and trying to fit into what she sees as a very traditional mountain family, must use all her wiles to survive and has some big decisions to make. Elderly neighbours are feuding over organic farming methods and the Bible, with comic relief but real passion.

Everyone – and indeed everything – is connected, and nothing truly disappears, even if it’s thrown away. From the throbbing fecundity of springtime nature (and there is a fair bit of throbbing fecundity in this book, one episode of which confused me!) to slowly warming human relationships and slowly dawning realisations, it’s beautifully drawn and observed and highly engaging. Recommended.

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I’m currently reading the lovely “Chatterton Square” for the 1947 Club, although I fear I won’t get it read and reviewed by the end of the week as I’ve suddenly had all my work projects come in to roost. I’m also working my way through Woolf’s “The Common Reader” for #Woolfalong – that’s not a chore at all, and I keep muttering “Just one more essay”, so beautifully are they put together.

I read the first couple of Mrs. Harris books early on in my blogging life, and while I liked them, I didn’t love them the way I do Miss Pettigrew. I think that’s down to Gallico’s writing and a slightly moralistic tone I found in them. Good fun, nevertheless!

Everything I’ve read of hers, I’ve loved, from way back with The Bean Trees etc. The Gallico was very slight but great as a holiday read.

My research is on whether a mid-20th century author would be as good a book group read as classics from other centuries or modern prize-winners. I had 25 book groups read “The Bell” and answer a questionnaire, and I’m also including notes on the read friends and I did of all IM’s novels in publication order a few years back. I just fancied doing it, goodness knows why, and encouraged by the IM Society, and it’s been hard but worthwhile.

I hear that Gallico has lots of animal books, especially cat ones, so I am sure to give him a try at some point. I’ll keep an eye out at charity shops and secondhand bookstores.

That sounds really interesting! I loved The Bell; that and The Sea, The Sea are my favourite Murdochs so far (though I think I’ve only read 5 or 6 in total). I feel she is underrated nowadays and due for a revival. Would you agree?

He has some lovely cat ones I read when young. And yes, unfortunately IM is in the period after someone dies when their reputation flags. It does mean her first editions aren’t as expensive as they used to be, however …

I love the title Mrs ‘Arris goes to Paris, but am less sure I’d love the book. But I really must read some Barbara Kingsolver – every time I see a review of one of her books I always think they sound great. I actually have The Poisonwood Bible on my Kindle – it’s just trying to fit it in to my reading schedule that’s the problem. Thanks for the nudge!

Mrs ‘Arris was a lovely light read perfect for a relaxing holiday but I wouldn’t need to re-read etc. Yes, you should read some Kingsolver, I think you’d really like it. I am building up to Poisonwood Bible as I don’t really like books set in Africa (I know it’s awful, but I just don’t, somehow) and I’m worried there will be too much grimness in there. I have it coming up in the next few months, so maybe you could read it for me and check???